How wealthy do you need to be to buy your own J or F ticket?

[jamesD]

I think it is very much a personal viewpoint thing, I know multi, multi-millionairs who won't buy new cars, only second hand. And I know a 20 year old who bought a Rolex.

 

[cove]

Every car becomes second hand once it drives off the new car lot.
All those seats in First,Business and Premium Economy require bottoms on them when the plane doors close.
Our job as AFF members is to figure out how to get our bottoms on these seats at the lowest possible cost.
You don't really have to be wealthy to do this game.

 

[bakoboy]

On my last trip to Australia from the US I did a very dumb thing. I upgraded using points to Lie-Flat Business Class from SYD to DFW. It is a new world from coach, and that is a fact. Would I pay actually cash money? I don't know. But it was nice while it lasted. Felt like Cindarella.

 

[Buzzard]

On my last trip to Australia from the US I did a very dumb thing. I upgraded using points to Lie-Flat Business Class from SYD to DFW. It is a new world from coach, and that is a fact. Would I pay actually cash money? I don't know. But it was nice while it lasted. Felt like Cindarella.

Why would you say it was "a very dumb thing"?

 

[ozmille]

Why would you say it was "a very dumb thing"?

I would say once you travel long haul J/F whY looks like a daunting place

 

[Grandma's Wings "]

Dumb or not !!! given the opportunity I for one would not hesitate at 74 years young, I would just love to have the chance to at least try this if only " Once".. still saving my FF points for SYD/LAX return but have a ways to go still... any donations gratefully accepted.. LOL.. Have a great day one and all...

 

[bakoboy]

It was dumb to upgrade because I will not be happy in the back anymore. Having eaten of the forbidden fruit, so to speak.

It was nice and everything, but unless somebody else is paying...

 

[Hvr]

It was dumb to upgrade because I will not be happy in the back anymore. Having eaten of the forbidden fruit, so to speak.

It was nice and everything, but unless somebody else is paying...

It's ruined us all that first taste of the elite cabin.

 

[Grandma's Wings "]

Bakoboy, everyone has to try and eat " The Forbidden Fruit" just once in your life... boy I have a couple of times....LOL ( theoretically speaking of course ).. LOL.. Have a great day....

 

[JCD]

Whilst disposable income certainly comes into it, I have found that flying history is a large part of the decision. Having had several J and F flights with FF Points to various parts of the globe I find it very hard to go back to economy for anything over 6 or 7 hours. I now find myself paying for J if I can't access FF seats.

 

[Bindibuys]

I am another that believed in the less spent on airfare the better, more to spend at the destination, always happy to just get a whiff of avgas. I had the pleasure last month of flying SQ 380 F suites Syd/sin/zhr/sin/syd, full rack @ $14,000 each. Charges went on my Amex (QFF points) but paid for out of my friends estate (FYI accompanied him to Zurich, where assisted suicide is legal) hence I travelled on my own back to Syd. (I was the only passenger in Suites Zhr-Sin) Would I BUY F for me - not likely. The FLounges were nice, but Y+ keeps me happy traveller. At least F is ticked off the bucket list - Thank you John for the experience.

 

[Must...Fly!]

You do not have to be wealthy, just intelligent, know the tricks and be willing to go out of your way. For me the journey is just as good as the destination so I am more than happy to take the round about way to and from places.

I am still studying at university but managed to do some solid J flying last year. I flew ATH-xDXB-PER-xDXB-ATH for ~$1,900AUD in EK J. This included chauffeur drive in PER, a free night at the Le Meridien in DXB on the return journey (including all meals and transfer) and 23,750 Skywards miles which I will top up with 1,250 miles and about $80 to get to NZ one-way in Y from Perth on QF which typically goes for ~$450.

Also took advantage of VA's 50% off velocity points upgrade to try out coast-to-coast J for about $650 + 9,900pts (and I got about $50 credit back on my Virgin mobile account which is 2.5 months free access for me - I am very annoyed this program stopped).

I have managed to stock up just over 150,000 AA miles. I hope I will get a chance to use these before any changes take effect as a result of the AA/US merger.

 

[get me outta here]

I am another that believed in the less spent on airfare the better, more to spend at the destination, always happy to just get a whiff of avgas. I had the pleasure last month of flying SQ 380 F suites Syd/sin/zhr/sin/syd, full rack @ $14,000 each. Charges went on my Amex (QFF points) but paid for out of my friends estate (FYI accompanied him to Zurich, where assisted suicide is legal) hence I travelled on my own back to Syd. (I was the only passenger in Suites Zhr-Sin) Would I BUY F for me - not likely. The FLounges were nice, but Y+ keeps me happy traveller. At least F is ticked off the bucket list - Thank you John for the experience.

Bindibuys, thanks for your post, may I say that I found that a very positive story for both you and your friend.

PS, did you get a better than bronze level for such expensive flying?

 

[Bindibuys]

Bindibuys, thanks for your post, may I say that I found that a very positive story for both you and your friend.

PS, did you get a better than bronze level for such expensive flying?

Yes, 31,000 Krisflyers took me straight to Silver. Next flight booked for Wedding Anniversary in August $665.00 return Syd/Sin for both of us on Scoot - one extreme to the other LOL

 

[joeymelb]

I am another that believed in the less spent on airfare the better, more to spend at the destination, always happy to just get a whiff of avgas. I had the pleasure last month of flying SQ 380 F suites Syd/sin/zhr/sin/syd, full rack @ $14,000 each.

Sorry to hear about your friend... When my time comes, I think I will do the same as well.

On the lighter note, did you get your FREE Raffles Hotel stay? If you travel on SQ A380 Suite into Singapore, you are entitled for a free night stay at Raffles Hotels with complimentary Mercedes Benz E-Class transfer plus buffet breakfast. We are going to Frankfurt in September on SQ F A380 - MEL-SIN-FRA. We will be using SQ228 to SIN and have an overnight, then SQ26 have another overnight All for less than $12K per person.

How rich am I? Not very, still able to claim that 20% Private Insurance Rebate... but we have very little expense and no mortgage, definitely no kids to pass on our inheritance. Plus, my partner survived a near fatal heart attack last year, we have decided that life is too short. Time to enjoy, when we are down to our last few thousand dollars, we will go to Zurich for our "Happy Ending"... (errr... sorry about the cheesy line..)

 

[Bindibuys]

did not know about the Raffles stay, (well Singapore Air did not mention it when I booked), but we stayed at The Tanglin Club - which was very nice. Keep a few of those $ for Zurich - it is quite an expensive and time consuming exercise, but a VERY peaceful way to go. Message me if you would like details.

 

[joeymelb]

did not know about the Raffles stay, (well Singapore Air did not mention it when I booked)

For those flyers looking at travel First on Singapore - http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/promotions/tw-a380suitespromotions.jsp - Note: the offer is for "per arrival into Singapore on First Class/Suite", if you are travel to/from Europe, you can have 2 x One-Night-Stand... (errr... hmm... )

You have to ask for it, SQ won't proactively contact you to offer the "free" hotel stay. If you manage to score 2 x One-Night at Raffles, that's equivalent to ~AUD$1200 saving/luxury... It is advertised in Taiwan, but I got it by calling SIA Office They will honor it as a good will gesture for their "Valued" passengers.

 

[Bindibuys]

thanks, I am actually right now on the SQ site looking at flights to London for next year (spead John's ashes in Scotland). Just a bit early to book yet.

 

[legroom]

For those flyers looking at travel First on Singapore - Singapore Airlines - A380 Suites & First Class Promotions - Note: the offer is for "per arrival into Singapore on First Class/Suite", if you are travel to/from Europe, you can have 2 x One-Night-Stand... (errr... hmm... )

You have to ask for it, SQ won't proactively contact you to offer the "free" hotel stay. If you manage to score 2 x One-Night at Raffles, that's equivalent to ~AUD$1200 saving/luxury... It is advertised in Taiwan, but I got it by calling SIA Office They will honor it as a good will gesture for their "Valued" passengers.

So sad !

I miss out on the deadline (31st March 2014) by a few weeks.